Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested

[coater]

I ordered my gauges today!
Put me down for those brackets! MAN THAT'S SWEET!!!
Looking forward to see the write up.
PM me when your ready.

[slugish]

Jeff , Is your bezel covered or coated with something . Im about ready to button mine up as well & really like that grainy texture yours seems to have.

Oh by the way > very well done > I think its perfect

[bigblock73]

Wow guys, overwhelming and flattering replies...thank you very much!

First off, I have four spare sets of brackets that were cut when I had mine made, knowing a few of you already expressed interest. Since the shop was super cool and only charged me a case of beer for the materials and to make them, I will give those four sets away. The only catch is that I ask you to pay it forward somehow to someone here on this board, or to Josh and Liz by becoming a supporting member if you aren't already....and pay the shipping for the brackets to your door.

I'll PM four of you shortly.

Now as far as these brackets go, and fitting trucks other than mine. These were designed for 73-74 dash bezels with Autometer Ultralight gauges. I have no way of knowing the differences in the backside of the bezel thruought the years, as well as the differences between different series of Autometer, or other brand gauges. All I can guarantee is that these will work on 73-74 bezels with Autometer Ultralight gauges. I did design the brackets to have some adjustability, by slotting the mounting holes in case I needed to make adjustments as I went along...so these may work for numerous applications. The "kit" will come with the mounting brackets as flat alum stock, that you will have to bend (a simple bench vise worked perfect for me), so that is also a plus for those wanting to put these on a 75-87 bezel.

So, with that being said, I will have more brackets made, and will likely have to pay this time...so the next run I will charge for...but I don't see it being too expensive. I will also design yet more flexibility in the pre-cut pieces, as a little more room would be nice for making adjustments. I'll start a thread in the parts section when I get them back.

Look for an update to Swervins article on 73-87.com soon, with more detailied information on installing recessed gauges. It was a challenging task, but I think I got it figured out and can make it easier for the rest of you guys.

Again, thanks for all the kind words folks!!

[joe231]

Very COOL!

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by engineco713

I want some too.....how much are a set of the gauges also?

I have about $600 in just the gauges...and I had to take them apart to install them...scary! It sounded worse than it actually was though.

Originally Posted by Orange77

...also wanna know what and how u made the turn signals and brights i believe work...only thing left to try and cover is the hole for the gear indicator...still the cleanest ive seen

I have a Painless truck harness and Painless universal gauge harness...both products are awesome and made wiring the gauges in a cake walk. Indicator will have a piece of alum, painted balck, epoxied to the back side. I have a floor shifter.

Originally Posted by twoodson

Also I like the LED indicators and would like to know where you purchased them from and part #'s if needed.

They are 5/16 LED indicators I got from Jegs...

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/11063/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/11052/10002/-1

Originally Posted by engineco713

Does the sending unit's stay the same or do you need to swap them as well? And if so do they come with the gauges? I looked on Summit's site and don't see anything about sending units. Thanks for putting up with my stupid question....lol.

I have mechanical gauges, no sending units...lol Usually gauges come with everything you need, wheter electric or mechanical.

Originally Posted by qu1cks1lver56

WOW looks great.
Are those 5" tach/speedo?
What's the orange indicator in the center for?

Yes, 5" for speedo and tach, 2 5/8" for the rest. Orange indicator is for the high beams.

Originally Posted by slugish

Jeff , Is your bezel covered or coated with something . Im about ready to button mine up as well & really like that grainy texture yours seems to have.

Nope, factory 73-74 bezel there. I had a hard time cutting up such a nice bezel, but it turned out good in the end and I can sleep well at night...lol

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Since the shop was super cool and only charged me a case of beer for the materials and to make them

I never thought about bartering for brews


On a serious note, from the pics it looks more like sheetmetal/fab type work rather than machined from stock. I could probably make some of the parts easy enough but it sounds like you have a good source already.
BTW, thanks for sharing the wealth with fellow board members. Super cool!

[sixshooter798]

Impressive work. Let me know when the next batch are ready!

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

On a serious note, from the pics it looks more like sheetmetal/fab type work rather than machined from stock. I could probably make some of the parts easy enough but it sounds like you have a good source already.
BTW, thanks for sharing the wealth with fellow board members. Super cool!

They are cut on a laser jet from a flat piece of aluminum. The same place cuts my speaker brackets and fusebox covers as well. They do good work and are inexpensive.

[menace121978]

right on Jeff! just saw this thread. they turned out very nice and clean. give me a call today if you have time. i just started tearing into my bezel yesterday

[moneyeater]

Very nice work Jeff!
I´m looking forward to the update on your site!
Volker

[bigblock73]

OK, got some of the installaton steps documented on Swervins old article....scroll to the bottom of the article

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...s_recessed.htm

I'll write up brackets instructions next, get some made, and start a 4 sale thread

I still owe four of you PM's...just been real busy!

[Pop's C-10]

trick work on tha brackets

[Mr79C10]

Super sweet clean install.

[68Timber]

Very nice work.

[qu1cks1lver56]

I'd definitely be interested in buying some brackets for an '86

[ECU PIRATE]

Nice..................I am gathering that they are 2 1/16" & 3 3/8" gauges?????

[bigblock73]

nope, 2 5/8" and 5"

[81 Redhead]

Niiiice! Great work.

[SCOTI]

Jeff,

Excellent job my friend. I've never cared for the flush mount if recessed could be done. If you get the itch to make more brackets, I'd be interested in a set (74 dash).

[bigblock73]

Guys, I'll be making more of these...it won't be much longer.

Thanks for all the positive feedback.

[bigblock73]

OK guys, finally got the gauge brackets back from the shop. I have 9 sets to sell, plus 1 set for Dennis.

Five sets are for Autometer Ultralights, 5" and 2 5/8" setup...identical to mine pictured in this thread.

The other four sets are for Ultralight II's, like Dennis has in his build thread. 5" and 1 1/16" setup.

I will be starting a for sale thread sometime tonight, but until then, the priced SHIPPED is $45 to anywhere in the lower 48 states. That includes mounting hardware and instructions.

Please reply here or PM me if interested.

I made these (and paid for out of pocket) based on the feedback I received here, so if you are interesed like you stated, please follow up. Thanks!

[Eighty-6]

I'll take a set for Autometer Ultralights, 5" and 2 5/8 like yours. Let me know your paypal via pm. Thanks

[coater]

I have the 5" and 2 5/8 phantoms.Will these brackets work with them?

[West Texas Z]

Hello, quick question.....how did you mount the gauges to the surfaced mounted plate? Like how did you secure them in place?



http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...ge_surface.htm

Thanks in advance.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by West Texas Z

Hello, quick question.....how did you mount the gauges to the surfaced mounted plate? Like how did you secure them in place?



http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...ge_surface.htm

Thanks in advance.

They mounted using the brackets that came with the gauges...from the back side.